My New Toy from Wacom // Win a Tablet in my Illustration Competition

Hello everyone! Eeeeeks, this is so damn exciting, a blogpost about a really special cooperation!
I recently got contacted and asked if I was interested in receiving and testing a Wacom tablet and host a competition for giving away a second one. We thought about a few ideas and then this cooperation was born. I got two tablets c/o Wacom, one to keep and one for one of you lovely readers. I got the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch M and the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch S. I decided to keep the latter one and a lucky blog reader will get the first one, but more about this at the end of my blogpost. :)
When I was contacted by Wacom's PR agency, they told me they got attracted by my creative work, my past illustrations and the tutorial for how to turn a simple illustration into a print which I posted a few weeks ago. Before I first heard about the Wacom tablets, I knew that these things excitest, but I never really thought about them, neither did I recognize which new doors they could open for me concerning my creative work. The more excited I was when I did some research and when we then started talking about this cooperation, I couldn't wait getting started! :)
When the tablets arrived, I couldn't wait to try them out and first of all to find out which size works best for me. After unpacking both, I installed the software and it was super easy to get started (well, to be honest, at first I tried getting started without the installation cd - what a dork - and wondered why the pen didn't work... :)) and to find out how it works. During the first few minutes, working with this pen instead of a mouse was a bit strange, but I got used to it really quick and now I simply LOVE it!
This pen can perfectly substitute your normal mouse and it makes photo editing sooo much easier, because the pen is way more sensitive and responsive.
When I first opened photoshop with it, I made a few doodles (upper left photo) and of course it looked as if I had made it in paint. ;) But no one becomes a master without practicing and only a few hours of working with this tablet made a huuuge difference. 
What I absolutely love is that I can now add notes and doodles to my photos, thus using my handwriting and showing off my really personal style, this is fantastic!
Moreover, writing onto photos adds a super personal touch and makes them look fresher and more fun.
The very best thing is that - with some practice - I can now make illustrations directly with the tablet, because this electronic pen substitutes my normal pen and I do not have to scan every sketch and illustration. Instead, I can make them directly on my laptop and finish everything in photoshop. Of course there will still be days when I traditionally draw by hand or make sketches on the train, simply using pen and paper, but now having this new technology makes many things easier and offers a wide range of new opportunites for me.
What is more, I love learning new techniques and skills and I'm always so happy about enlarging my horizon and doing something I haven't done before, there's hardly anything more satisfying! :)
After some first doodles, I made this simple illustration only using my tablet, I made it about an hour after I first got started, so you can see the progress which can easily be made with some practice. :) Wow, so much fun!
On my second day working with the tablet, I drew the four items on this Christmas card, also only using my tablet and pen. Only the letters have been added as normal font in photoshop. I'm super happy about the progress I have made within only one day and I can't wait to try out more and to make hundreds of cute illustrations and I'm super thankful for this new toy I can now call my own! :)
When I had to decide which tablet to keep, I decided on the smaller one, because my workspace isn't that huge, my laptop isn't, too, and I like working at different places, so it's important to stay flexible and not to need too much space for the tablet.
The features of both sizes are the same and as you can see in this blogpost, they offer lots of varieties for design and photo editing. After this one day of using my tablet, I even got used to do normal photo editing (like adjusting colors, contrasts and brightness) with the tablet, because it's much better to handle than the normal mouse.
How much I love my new toy! :)
So after reading all of this, I hope you are now super inspired and want to get started with your own illustration and maybe the following competition will be interesting for you:
Get creative and make your own Christmas illustration!
Design a recipe card, a gift tag, a postcard, your personal wishlist, a piece of wall art or anything else which comes to your mind and is related to the upcoming holiday season and then win a Wacom tablet and prints of your illustration. Here's how it works and what you need to do in order to take part (make sure to read the conditions carefully!):

Because I wanted to have equal chances for advanced people and those who are new to this, you can either make your illustration by hand and then scan it or take a good photo of it or you can make it on your computer and even use a tablet, do it any way you like! This illustration competition is not about technical perfection, but it is about a pretty, original, creative and aesthetic idea for a Christmas illustration and it's more about what you make of it than about how technically advanced you are!

So be creative, make an illustration and blog about it (yes, you need a blog in order to take part in this competition, but if you don't already have one, feel free to create a new blog) and link my blog and Wacom in this blogpost, telling your readers about this competition. Then post the link to your blogpost in the comment section below this artice until next Sunday, December 8, 6 p.m. and also leave your e-mail adress. I will then decide on the three winners.

One person will win the tablet and the people with the three most creative and original illustrations will also get them professionally printed. So this is what you can get:
First place: a Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch M (worth 199€) and 40 prints of your illustration
Second place: 30 prints of your illustration
Third place: 20 prints of your illustration

The winners will be contacted by December 10.

So here's your checklist for taking part in this competition:
- Make an illustration (by hand or on your computer)
- Blog about it and link to Wacom and my blog and mention this competition
- Post the link to your blogpost below this article in the comment section
- One entry / illustration / submission per person
- Don't forget to also leave your valid e-mail adress in the comment section
- This competition ends on Sunday, December 8, 6 p.m.

Can't hardly wait to see your ideas!

Lu

P.S.: Thank you a lot to my dearest friend Anja who took those photos of me working on my desk with my new tablet. :)
P.P.S.: Although this blogpost / the items in it are sponsored, this doesn't touch my personal opinion and of course I only write what I really think, getting a tablet for this cooperation does not change this!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Advertise on Luloveshandmade

Hello everyone!
The holiday season is near, Christmas coming soon. Are you still looking for a way to promote your blog or (indie business) during this time? I offer ad spots in my left sidebar where you could place your banner. Simply read my sponsoring information and feel free to write me an e-mail, I'd love to send you my media kit and price options. Don't be shy if you are a small business or blog with a limited budget, there are even special options for those cases. :)
Can't wait to get in touch!
Happy Wednesday!
Lu

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

DIY: Colorful Advent Candles.

Hey everyone! Christmas is near and I'm slightly getting excited about the holidays and festive decor. This year, I didn't want to make a classical Advent wreath, I rather decided on making a minimal one with bright colors.
Do you remember my bike restyle project with the spray paint which edding sponsored me for this project? :) I still had some bottles of their colorful spray paint left and decided on making an easy holiday DIY and to upcycle old candle holders and a bottle.
You need:
- Permanent spray paint 
- Optional: primer and clear varnish
- Painter's tarpaulin
- Old candle holders and / or bottles
- Candles
First of all, go outside to the fresh air and enfold your painter's tarpaulin. You will need it to protect your environment from paint. :) Then you can either start pray painting with a primer or you can directly apply the first coat of permanent spray paint to your candle holders (and bottles). Wait for some time (according to the instructions on your spray paint's bottle) and then add a second layer. While spraying, make sure to keep some distance between your objects so that you don't accidentally paint the wrong one.
So easy! Then you only need to add some candles and maybe some other pretty decor elements and that's it! :)
For decorating this table, I brought some branches from the woods and painted them white (not with spray paint, but just with a brush) and added some pretty ornaments. I thought that this is a perfect contrast to our turquoise kitchen table. :)
Have lots of fun making your own Advent candle holders! :)
Lu

P.S.: In case you are wondering, this blogpost isn't sponsored, I'm just using up my leftover supplies from my recent cooperation with edding. :)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

My Life in Instagram Photos - Happy Fall Days.

Hello everyone! The past weeks have been passing incredibly fast. I wrote my last 'My life in Instagram photos' post at the end of summer and now it's nearly winter, Christmas coming soon, wow! Here you can see what I've been doing recently and take part in my colorful everyday life! ;)
Beautiful kitchen cabinet. // Pretty fall leaf. // A precious gift, a handmade mini origami parrot by navucko. :* // Rainy day outfit.
Fall walk. // Coloful closet. // Crocheting on the train. // Kitchen decor. // Fall outfit with moccassins. // Primary colors.
Cozy fall outfit for picking mushrooms. Love my new thrifted poncho. // On my wall. // Happy kitchen and fridge. // Pretty fall table decor.
Thrifting day with my friends Sibylle of funkytime and Albertine of nahili. :) // At home for filming an Advent calendar DIY video with DaWanda. // Happy feet. // Fall outfit for a fun afternoon with Sibylle and Albertine. :)
Above my desk with my cat postcard, my fox postcard and PhotoLove prints of my Instagram photos.
Yayyy, new spray paint from edding. // Cozy outfit. // Freshly restyled bike, yayy! // New colors for my candle holders and coat holder.
Thrifternoon with Sibylle and Albertine, looking classy wearing vintage (bridal) dresses. :) ;* // Daily outfit. // Preparing my weekly DIY workshop at DaWanda.
Blue, black and white. // Beautiful blue fall sky. // Happy feet. // Hello Berlin. // Still harvesting some tomatoes. // Yayyyyy, happy Mogli! ;)
My desk.
Weekend walk with my two loved ones. ;* // Delicious brunch and a greedy dalmatian. // Rubber boot weather. // Colorful dinner.
In my workspace area, my favorite place.
Colors on the market in Berlin. // Date with Sibylle and Albertine. :) // Perfect Sunday: long forest walk and then brunch in bed while watching Game of Thrones, awww! :) // On the campus. // Paper collection at home. // Eeeeks, a chimney sweeper on the rooftop opposite the DaWanda office. Lucky day!
Colors. // Train ride in Berlin. // Lovely afternoon date with waffles at Albertine's home. I love girl's dates! :)
Perfect weekend at the Blogst conference for DaWanda, taking care of the photobooth and mini DIY area and meeting blogger friends (again). // Lovely view over Essen from my hotel room.
Home sweet home, there's no better place. :)

Make your life happy and colorful!
Lu :*

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Blogst Conference 2013

Hello everyone! Wow, this was an amazing weekend! I've been to the Blogst conference for DaWanda and had an absolutely fantastic time!
Have you ever heard of Blogst? It's a conference for bloggers who want to get to know more about topics like photo editing, SEO, social media, DIY, cooperations, etc., but most importantly, it's an amazing networking opportunity.
The conference was again lovingly planned and organized by Ricarda of 23qm² Stil and Clara of tastesheriff who carefully chose clever, charming and interesting speakers and acquired great sponsors who help financing the conference and provided awesome goodies for everyone.
DaWanda was one of the sponsors and since I was super sad about having missed buying a ticket before the conference was immediately sold out, I was even happier when my team leader asked me about coming with her for DaWanda, yayy!

The conference took place in Essen at the Unperfekthaus where we had a whole floor for all the laughing and chatting ladies (and few gents), it sounded like in a huge bee hive. :D
So funny, I felt a bit schizophrenic, like a double agent on a mission: I was mainly there because of my job at DaWanda, but of course I also met many Luloveshandmade blogger friends and am rather known for my blog than for my job at DaWanda. :) It was funny to try finding a good balance and connect both sides. :)
During the last few weeks, I have been planning our booth for this event and my job during the conference was taking care of it and providing the visitors with information about DaWanda, giving them funny sticky tattoos with DaWanda-icons for a competition and taking photos of all the lovely bloggers in our photo corner. :) Do I still have to make clear that I love my job? :) 
The hall was filled with inspiring people and on the right photo you can see the two founders and organizers of the conference. Thank you again, it was such a pleasure and I enormously appreciate the work you did! :*
Aren't our DaWanda photobooth props the prettiest?
It was so nice meeting all those great people, here you can for example see Johanna of Pinkepank and Julia of mint lametta. :) // Among all those great lectures and presentations there were some people which especially touched me and Juli of heimatPOTTential and VOLL TOLL was one of them. She talked about the relevance of blogging and how much it is an emeotional matter and that you should only blog about what you love in order to be relevant! She made a little video which includes what blogging means to some of her fellow bloggers, I'm also part of it. :) You can see the video at the end of this blog post. :)
In between, I took a little break to walk around. Being with nearly 200 chatting ladies is awesome, but can also be a bit exhausting. ;)
Lucky me, my hotel room was on the sixth floor and I had a breathtaking view! Too bad I didn't have more time, I'd have loved to explore the Pott a little!
Right photo stolen from Anna (Anna Sterntaler). :) After nearly one year, it was super lovely meeting my sweet blogger pal Katha of kathastrophal again. :)
Moreover, I also hadn't seen my lovely pal Vivi of Piepmatz for nearly one year and I was so happy about seeing her again! :) // Do you like Igor of Happy Interior Blog's sticky tattoo as much as I do?
Grrrrr with Fee (Fee ist mein Name) & Stef (Magnoliaelectric). :) // Vivi, Sarah (Erdbeerwald), Anna (Anna Sterntaler & DaWanda), Katja (Mädchen mit Herz), Stef & Nadine (dreierlei Liebelei).


The Backbube (= Baking Guy ;)) won our Instagram sticky tattoo challenge and I was sooo happy seeing Stef again. :*
These are our super pretty goody bags.
Lovely Bine (was eigenes) & Andrea (jolijou). :) Such a flattering moment: I felt so extremely honoured when Bine and Andrea showed my social media channels as example for a good virtual indie business identity. :) Yayyy!

Aren't they great, those DaWanda sticky tattoos?
The ladies from IKEA also had a booth were you could print out your Instagram photos of the conference and embellish stationery from their paper shop.
Photo stolen from Juli. :) :* // It was a super long weekend filled with laughter, chatting and tears (of joy and emotion) and a lack of sleep. :) On Saturday evening, there was a great party with lots of dancing and jerking around and on Sunday in the the afternoon it was really hard to say good bye! 
Wow, Christmas in the middle of November! After I came home, I unpacked all the great goodies (and my shopping scores from HEMA) and it was nearly overwhelming. :)

Even two days later, I still feel Blogst-sick and miss all the people so much! It's unbelievable that most of those 180 people only know each other because of the Internet and because of their blogs and that so many real friendships have developed out of those networking connections. Breathtaking! I still get gooseflesh when thinking about this!
I'm as happy as one could be and so excited about and thankful for all the opportunities that blogging has given me!

Thanks for this wonderful weekend, can't wait for Blogst 2014!
Lu

P.S.: What has really touched me to tears is the following video by Juli! Visit her blog to read her blog post for the story behind it!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad